GlaxoSmithKline paid its chief executive, Andrew Witty, almost
pounds 4m last year, despite the company paying out a $3bn (pounds
1.9bn) fine to settle claims that it tricked and bribed doctors
into prescribing dangerous antidepressants to children.

The drug company also boosted the value of Witty's pension pot
to pounds 13.7m, and will allow him to collect a further bonus of
pounds 452,000 if he hits targets.

Witty's total pay of pounds 3.9m, which included a cash bonus of
pounds 905,000 and share bonuses worth pounds 1.8m, was 42% less
than the pounds 6.8m he picked up last year. Tom de Swaan, the
chair of GSK's remuneration committee, said Witty's reduced pay
"reï¬?ected a very challenging operating environment".

A spokesman said: "Executive pay is based on stretching
performance targets and awards in 2012 reflected these. Total pay
fell by almost half compared to 2011 due to the difficult trading
environment the group faced, particularly in Europe where
governments implemented austerity measures."

The $3bn fine was over allegations GSK mis-sold drugs and gave
doctors trips to Bermuda if they agreed to write extra
prescriptions. Glaxo said the fine "related to settling matters
from the past, before Andrew was CEO. The board was supportive of
efforts to resolve this litigation."

GSK said Witty could collect total pay of pounds 10.6m next
year. Rupert Neate